Dissident Guests

A whole new world: Global revolution and Australian social movements in the long Sixties

“…Australia maintained its hold on the territory, and it was to guide the "natives" towards independence and self-government through "social, economic and political advancement". 26 It was, however, a difficult time for 24 34 Indeed, ASIO speculated that he was involved in an international conspiracy of communist-affiliated anthropologists, whose aim was to undermine Australia's grip on the territory and create a Cuba on Australia's doorstep. 35 Hannah…”

“…25 While the Chinese often relied on similar ideas to the Soviet Union in nurturing their foreign guests-"lavish banquets, fine wine and VIP treatment"-these politically committed travellers tended to recall more the frugality of their experience, the commitment of Chinese cadres, and the inspiring ideas that were on display. 26 Thus, a properly transnational relationship developed, with the Australian radicals looking for answers to increasingly troublesome local and international questions, while the Chinese developed what they thought would be firm allies in their eventual conflict with Moscow. The carefully cultivated image of China taking a glorious second step in the path to world socialist revolution, "the greatest and most heroic historical exploit since Russia's 1917 and perhaps its equal", was important to the Australian radicals as they prepared for their trips abroad.…”

“…The carefully cultivated image of China taking a glorious second step in the path to world socialist revolution, "the greatest and most heroic historical exploit since Russia's 1917 and perhaps its equal", was important to the Australian radicals as they prepared for their trips abroad. 27 Most travellers, of whom there were at least sixty-seven divided into six delegations, were given very little time to prepare, and their plans had to be kept secret, not only due to this prevailing climate of fear, but because Australian passports were not valid for China 26 Johansson, "Mao and the SUF," 227. 27 Aarons,What's Left,75.…”

“…26 Groups opposing Australia's war in Vietnam, censorship, illiberal politics or oppression of indigenous peoples, amongst a plethora of other concerns, began to see that "the implications of their actions and thoughts went far wider than they had previously expected", leading such groups to look for a way to ensure they could work together in a shared space. The rationalisation for this spatial turn is outlined in an article in The Bulletin on Melbourne Students for a Democratic Society's Centre for Democratic Action (CDA), at 57 Palmerston Street, Carlton.…”

“…25 The travellers recommendations for protestors in Australia to "work harder for peace" by talking "to your neighbour, to people with whom you work and to all with whom you come in contact" were eminently localised, and seemingly in contradiction with her own form of transnational protest. 26 In one square meetings went on for 16 hours a day; they had begun before we arrived in Czechoslovakia and were still [going] one month after we returned from Bulgaria. In fact, I was in this park the night the invasion began talking to a group of East German students committed to revolutionary struggle against the Ulbricht bureaucracy.…”